Episode 533: Return to the Demon Realm

Helmut stepped in from the balcony, pausing as he entered the room. His expression soured immediately.

The one who had been grating on his nerves lately.

A mere human, yet strutting around among demons with his head held high.

The thorn in his side was standing right there in his room.

Helmut’s face twisted as if he were staring at a cockroach.

“Savigang, what are you doing here?”

“Didn’t you hear? The Duke Aranius summoned me as well. I was told to come with you,” Savigang replied with a serene smile.

His gaze drifted to the maid lying motionless behind Helmut. Her eyes were wide open, lifeless.

Savigang maintained his faint smile as he spoke again. “I was the one who passed the message to the maid. You really should learn to control your temper, Captain.”

“What?”

Helmut’s cheek twitched, but Savigang raised a hand and continued quickly.

“For your own sake, of course. Being overly sensitive isn’t good for your health.”

Helmut’s gray eyes glared at Savigang, a murderous intent swirling within them. He was ready to strike, just as he had with the maid.

But Savigang spoke again, “Fortunately, I’m favored by His Majesty, so I suppose I won’t be meeting the same fate.”

Savigang’s eyes crinkled slightly.

Helmut let out a heavy breath, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “How fortunate.”

“Indeed. Shall we go see the Duke?”

“Lead the way.”

“Of course.”

Savigang bowed slightly and turned to leave, Helmut’s gaze following him with intense disdain.

**

“Understand this: the remnants of Baritan, known as the ‘Red Wolves,’ are the elite of the elite. They’ve survived against all odds even after Baritan’s fall. You must be cautious,” Aranius warned.

Helmut remained silent, his expression stony and filled with discontent.

Aranius gestured to Count Hount beside him. “Count Hount will assist you. Any questions?”

Neither Savigang nor Helmut responded. Savigang seemed genuinely uninterested, while Helmut’s face was still clouded with dissatisfaction.

Count Hount stepped forward, addressing Savigang. “If this mission succeeds and we annihilate the remnants of Baritan, His Majesty plans to reward you greatly.”

“It would be an honor,” Savigang replied, his demeanor respectful, a stark contrast to his earlier conversation with Helmut.

Hount smiled warmly, patting Savigang on the shoulder. “Show us what you can do. His Majesty might even bestow a title upon you if this mission is successful.”

“Thank you for the opportunity!”

“Think nothing of it.”

As Hount nodded in satisfaction, Helmut slammed his hand on the table. “Why must I work with this insignificant human? I can handle this alone.”

“Don’t be stubborn. You know Savigang’s skills as well as anyone. It’s hard to believe he’s human. He could become the first human in demon history to receive a title. Isn’t that remarkable?”

“Duke! Are you serious…?”

“Helmut,” Aranius interrupted, his expression stern enough to silence Helmut.

“This isn’t something to get worked up about.”

”…”

As the tension hung in the air, Hount turned to Savigang with a gentle smile. “I apologize.”

“No need. I understand Captain Helmut’s feelings.”

“Oh? Do you? Humans do seem to have a knack for understanding us demons,” Hount remarked, his tone almost mocking.

He patted Savigang’s shoulder again. “In any case, prepare for the mission. Support Captain Helmut well, and I’m sure you’ll achieve great things.”

“I will do my best.”

Savigang bowed deeply and exited the room. Once he was gone, Helmut clenched his jaw, glancing between Aranius and Hount.

Hount shrugged, letting out a sigh. “Why are you so hot-headed?”

“I still can’t accept this…”

“I thought you’d be more thoughtful.”

“What could I possibly think in this situation…!”

Helmut’s words trailed off as he looked at Hount, suspicion dawning on his face.

“Is there more to this mission than meets the eye?”

A sly smile crept onto Hount’s face, and he exchanged a knowing glance with Aranius, who nodded.

Hount cleared his throat. “Ahem. The remnants of Baritan are indeed elite. But do you think Savigang can defeat them?”

“Of course he can.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m leading the mission. Regardless of his abilities, with me in command, the mission will succeed.”

His confidence was overwhelming.

Aranius chuckled, as if he had anticipated Helmut’s reaction. The smile was enigmatic, but no one paid it any mind.

Hount continued, his smile still in place. “True, with you, success is assured. But Savigang will fail.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Because you’re there.”

Helmut paused, his head tilting in confusion.

“Are you suggesting…?”

Aranius stepped forward, speaking with a hint of malice. “You’re not the only one who doesn’t want a mere human to receive a title from His Majesty. Many demons feel the same.”

Aranius’s words carried a weight of implication that Helmut couldn’t ignore.

His eyes gleamed with understanding, and Aranius’s smile turned sinister. “I trust you understand what needs to be done.”

Helmut’s gray eyes glinted coldly. “Understood. Leave it to me.”

**

Leaving Aranius’s chamber, Helmut wore a faint smirk.

‘Of course. A mere human driven by sentimentality… Just wait, Savigang. Your end is near.’

As he walked down the corridor, he spotted Savigang strolling through the garden.

Just as he was about to call out, something felt off.

The shadows around him began to shift in strange directions.

Branches, pillars, statues—all their shadows moved subtly, almost imperceptibly.

A normal human wouldn’t have noticed, but Savigang was no ordinary human.

“Enough with the games. Show yourselves,” Savigang murmured coldly.

From the shadows, assassins emerged like phantoms.

Savigang’s lips curled into a smirk. “No point in asking who sent you. Let’s get this over with.”

“Attack!”

The masked assassins lunged at Savigang in unison.

The air was filled with the sound of blades slicing through the air, aiming to ensnare him.

But Savigang’s movements were otherworldly, almost as if he were dancing through the chaos.

He moved with the grace of a swordmaster—no, even beyond that.

A true swordmaster would have sustained at least a few injuries.

Yet Savigang flitted through the onslaught like a butterfly dodging raindrops.

It was no wonder. He had mastered every secret technique of the martial world.

For years, he had endured excruciating pain, pushing himself relentlessly.

And ever since gaining the Demon King’s favor, he had been forced into countless battles against assassins.

In a world where survival meant growing stronger, Savigang thrived.

Finally, the last assassin fell, his chest slashed open.

Savigang exhaled deeply, sheathing his sword as he steadied his breath.

His body was smeared with blood, but none of it was his own.

He had only broken a sweat.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

The sound of applause drew Savigang’s attention.

Helmut emerged from the corridor, feigning admiration. “Impressive. These assassins may be human, but they’ve undergone hellish training here in the demon realm. To defeat them without shedding a drop of blood… truly remarkable.”

Savigang smiled at Helmut. “Did you send them, Captain?”

“You have a knack for making chilling accusations with a smile.”

“I thought perhaps you wanted to test my abilities, given that we’re to work together on this mission.”

Helmut’s expression hardened as he slowly approached Sabigang.

“Do you think I’m the only one eager to test your abilities?”

“Is that so?”

“As long as you challenge the authority of the demon race, you’ll be hounded by people like this until your existence is erased.”

Helmut’s gaze shifted to the fallen assassins.

His words were almost like a curse, yet they were a stark reminder of reality.

“Then, have you been through a lot of this yourself, Captain?”

For a moment, Helmut’s eyebrow twitched.

A dangerous aura emanated from him.

“You dare wag your tongue so carelessly in front of a demon, you insignificant human.”

“If I overstepped, I apologize.”

Helmut stared at Sabigang for a moment before slowly moving on.

As he passed by, he murmured in a chilling voice, “Take care of yourself. I say this out of concern for you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Especially in the chaos of battle. You never know when or where a blade might aim for your heart. Speaking of which, it seems you’ll be heading to the battlefield soon. Be cautious, very cautious.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

Sabigang nodded slightly, and Helmut let out a faint chuckle as he walked away.

“It’s too early for gratitude. Focus on preparing for the battle.”

With that, Helmut disappeared down the opposite corridor.

Sabigang watched him go, then lifted his gaze.

The unfamiliar sky.

Here in the demon realm, the sky was more jade than blue.

And the sunset was a golden hue.

As he watched the sky bathed in gold, Sabigang instinctively realized that a crucial time was approaching.